JP3120354U - Die-cast adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a metal adapter that is easy to manufacture and has low manufacturing costs.
The adapter includes a metal housing defining a first port axially aligned with the second port. Each port is configured to receive a respective optical plug having a cylindrical ferrule. The joint provided between the ports has a first end adjacent to the first port and a second end adjacent to the second port. The junction defines an axial cylindrical passage between the ports. The first end of the joint has a ridge extending inward to limit the diameter of the passage at the first end. An alignment sleeve is disposed in the passage. The alignment sleeve has an inner diameter that receives and axially aligns the ferrule of each optical plug for optically coupling the fibers contained within the ferrule. The joint is integrally formed with the metal housing, and an end cap is fixed to the second end of the joint. The end cap has a ridge extending inwardly to limit the diameter of the passage at the second end and secures the alignment sleeve within the passage.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to the field of optical connectors, and more particularly to a plug receiving adapter that is robust and protects against electromagnetic interference.

  In the field of optical fibers, it is necessary to connect an optical transmission path of one fiber to an optical transmission path of another fiber. Such connections are often made by terminating each fiber end into an optical plug and then inserting both plugs into the adapter. The plug typically includes a housing that holds a ferrule or other means for holding and accurately positioning one or more fiber ends. Adapters typically have a housing with two ports. Each port is configured to receive and retain a plug housing and facilitate optical coupling of each plug with other plugs. For purposes of explanation herein, when a plug is inserted into an adapter, the adapter and plug are referred to as a “mated state”. Similarly, when the plug is not inserted into the adapter, the adapter and the plug are referred to as “unmated”. Adapters are available in a variety of configurations (eg, simplex, duplex, quad) for use in a variety of applications (eg, interconnects through backplanes and chassis). You may have.

  Recent trends in optical connectors and in telecommunications interconnections are common in miniaturizing backplanes, chassis, and other routing devices by increasing “port density”. Increasing port density facilitates miniaturization because it allows multiple interconnects in a small space. For this purpose, the industry has moved to a “small form factor” design for connectors that minimizes the space or area occupied by the connector in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis (hereinafter “panel area”). When referring to adapter design, the current understanding behind the term “small form factor” is that the bidirectional embodiment occupies the same panel area as a conventional SC adapter. Conventional SC adapters are well known in the art. Examples of connector systems that provide small form factor adapters include LC connector systems, MU connector systems, and MTRJ connector systems.

Although small form factor connector systems have been very successful in recent years, the inventors have discovered a number of drawbacks. In particular, the inventors have observed that when a small form factor adapter such as an LC adapter is configured to fit into a panel cutout for an SC connector, the wall of the adapter tends to be very small. These thin walls present strength problems, particularly when a load is applied to the cable assembly inserted into the adapter. In addition, increasing the operating frequency also exposes problems associated with electromagnetic interference (EMI). Although light is immune to EMI in that it is affected by and generates EMI, the gap between the adapter and panel in the panel cutout leaks EMI generated by other parts from the panel. It is often the cause. A number of measures have been used to remedy this situation. In particular, conductive seals and other “EMI gaskets” are often placed between the adapter and the panel. Recently, metal inserts have been placed on plastic adapters to prevent EMI. These measures have controlled EMI to some extent, but are expensive to implement, tend to be burdensome to install, and generally reduce motivation to implement. Thus, there is a need for a small form factor adapter that provides sufficient lateral load strength and attenuates EMI. The inventors recognize that this need will be met by a metal small form factor adapter.
US Pat. No. 6,027,252

  While metal small form factor adapters are desirable, the inventors have found that conventional approaches to making such adapters tend to be inadequate. In particular, an important aspect of the adapter is the cylindrical sleeve that it accommodates. The sleeve serves to receive and align the plug ferrule inserted into the adapter. This part requires an accuracy that cannot be realized by die casting. Accordingly, it is generally recognized that metal adapters must accommodate individual cylindrical alignment sleeves in some way. Thus, many prior art approaches employ a two-part design in which a sleeve is placed between the parts and then the parts are joined by rivets or screws. Such a solution has proved useful, but due to the design nature of using multiple parts, manufacturing is complicated and inventory increases. Furthermore, since the two halves must be joined, alignment is required at the level of accuracy required for the small form factor connector system, which can be cumbersome. For this reason, these prior arts tend to increase manufacturing time, waste, and ultimately cost.

  Apart from these conventional countermeasures, the present inventors tried to apply the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 1 for designing a small form factor adapter. Although this design has proven very effective in the manufacture of SC adapters, the small form factor aspects considered herein make this approach less desirable. In particular, this approach requires a mold that facilitates a slot in the side to receive a bifurcated portion for pinning various parts in the adapter. Such molds tend to be particularly complex. This degree of complexity is guaranteed when other parts, such as elastic latches for fixing the plug, are integrated into the integral adapter (as described in US Pat. Too complicated for a connector system to consider in the book. For example, the adapter design for the LC connector is simple because the elastic latch mechanism is located on the plug, not the adapter. For this reason, the capability and flexibility given in Patent Document 1 are not optimized by a small form factor adapter such as an LC connector.

  Accordingly, there is a need for a small form factor adapter that is made of metal but is simple to manufacture and low in manufacturing costs.

  The adapter for mating two plugs of the present invention comprises a metal housing defining a first port axially aligned with a second port. Each port is configured to receive a respective optical connector plug having a cylindrical ferrule. The joint provided between the ports has a first end adjacent to the first port and a second end adjacent to the second port. The junction defines an axial cylindrical passage between the ports. Since the first end of the joint has a protrusion extending inwardly, the diameter of the passage at the first end is limited. An alignment sleeve is disposed in the passage. The alignment sleeve has an inner diameter suitable for receiving the ferrule of each optical connector plug and axially aligning the ferrule for optically coupling the fibers contained within the ferrule. The joint is integrally formed with the metal housing, and an end cap is fixed to the second end of the joint. The end cap has a ridge extending inward and limiting the diameter of the passage at the second end, thereby securing the alignment sleeve within the passage.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an adapter 100 of the present invention is illustrated. The adapter 100 includes a metal housing 101 that is integrally formed. The housing 101 defines a first port 102 and a second port 103 that are axially aligned and are each configured to receive an optical connector plug having a cylindrical ferrule. The housing 101 has a joint portion 104 between the ports 102 and 103, a first end 104 a adjacent to the first port 102, and a second end 104 b adjacent to the second port 103. The joint 104 defines an axial cylindrical passage 105 between the first port 102 and the second port 103 that receives the ferrule of each plug. The first end 104 a of the joint portion 104 has a protrusion 106 extending inward, thereby limiting the diameter of the passage 105 at the first end 104. Within the passage 105 is an alignment sleeve 107. The alignment sleeve 107 has an inner diameter suitable for receiving the ferrule of each optical connector plug and for axially aligning the plugs for optically coupling the fibers contained by the plugs. Disposed at the second end 104 b of the passage 105 is an end cap 108. The end cap 108 engages the joint 104 and restricts the diameter of the passage 105 at the second end 104 b to secure the sleeve 107 in the passage 105. Each of these components and their assemblies are described in detail below.

  With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.3, the housing 101 of the adapter 100 of this invention is demonstrated in detail. The main function of the housing is to receive and hold the plug and to align the plug ferrule and the fiber contained within the plug. For this purpose, the housing 101 defines a first port 102 and a second port 103 that receive plugs (not shown). Referring to FIG. 3, for example, a plug latch may be received in the cavity 111. This is a well-known connection mechanism and will not be described in detail herein.

  To align the plug ferrule, the housing 101 includes a joint 104 disposed between the first port 102 and the second port 103. The junction 104 is cylindrical and defines a passage 105 sized to receive the alignment sleeve 107. The joint 104 has a first end 104 a and a second end 104 b and includes a flange 110 that acts to connect the joint 104 to the remainder of the housing 101. The first end 104 a of the joint portion 104 includes a protrusion 106.

  The ridge 106 functions for two purposes. First, it acts as a stop to prevent the alignment sleeve 107 from exiting the joint 104 through the first end 104a. Second, the ridge 106 includes an introduction 106 a that acts to guide the plug ferrule within the alignment sleeve 107. The function and configuration of the introduction unit 106a is well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein. Speakingly, the introductory part is a precisely sized conical surface that is sufficiently wide to “capture” the ferrule at one end and guide the ferrule into the alignment sleeve 107 at the other end. It must be narrow enough.

  Referring to the second end 104b of the joint 104, it is clear that a structure similar to the ridge 106 does not appear. Conversely, rather than the ridge 106, the second end 104 b defines an annular recess 109 configured to receive the end cap 108. Thus, prior to placing the end cap 108 in the annular recess 109, the second end 104 b of the joint 104 defines an opening sufficient to receive the alignment sleeve 107.

  The alignment sleeve 107 is preferably the same alignment sleeve used in the standard adapter of each connector system. That is, in the present invention, since there is no particular requirement for the configuration of the alignment sleeve 107, a standard alignment sleeve can be used in the present invention. This is another advantage of the present invention because it reduces the need for inventory and reduces costs.

  The alignment sleeve 107 is held in the hole of the alignment portion 104 by the end cap 108. Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the end cap 108 is shown. The end cap 108 includes a wall part 201, an introduction part 202, an annular protrusion 203, and a protrusion part 206. Returning to FIG. 1, the wall 201 is configured to be received within the annular recess 109. The introduction unit 202 includes an introduction surface 202a that provides the same function as the introduction surface 106a described above. Indeed, in a preferred embodiment, the shape of the introduction surface 202a is the same as the shape of the introduction surface 106a. The protruding portion 206 protrudes inward and reduces the diameter of the passage 105 of the joint portion 104, thereby holding the alignment sleeve 107 in a predetermined position. Thus, the end cap 108 not only acts to hold the alignment sleeve in place, but also guides the plug ferrule into the alignment sleeve 107.

  The function of the protrusion 203 is to engage a part of the second end 104b of the joint 104 and fix the end cap 108 in a predetermined position. In one preferred embodiment, this interengagement is accomplished by “rolling” a portion of the second end 104 b onto the protrusion 203 once the alignment sleeve body 107 and the end cap 108 are positioned within the alignment portion 104. ) "Or by deformation. By rolling or deforming the second end 104b, a protrusion (not shown) of the second end 104b covers the protrusion 203, and the end cap 108 is prevented from being removed from the joint 104.

  While it is preferred to deform the joint 104 around the end cap 108, other embodiments of the invention are possible. For example, the end cap 108 may have an elastic portion that engages with the structure of the second end 104b to hold the end cap 108 in place. Although possible, this method is not preferred. This is because the alignment and shape of the introduction surface 202a is important, and any deformation required to secure the end cap to the joint 104 will be on the joint 104 having dimensions that are less important than the introduction surface 202a rather than the end cap. This is because it has been found preferable to be performed.

  In the preferred embodiment, the end cap 108 is preferably formed of a sturdy and strong material. A high strength material is preferred because it must withstand the force of having a portion of the second end 104b that deforms around the end cap. Suitable materials include composite materials such as steel, aluminum, high strength polymers, and reinforced polymers. Preferably the material is steel, more preferably stainless steel. The housing 101 may be formed of any known material that can be die-cast. Suitable materials include, for example, steel, zinc, aluminum, copper or known alloys. Since the use in die casting is common and well known, the material is preferably zinc.

  The configuration of the adapter of the present invention is suitable for various applications and can be formed in a number of configurations. Referring to FIG. 3, the adapter is preferably a rectangular parallelepiped having an upper wall 301, a lower wall 302, and both side walls 303a and 303b. (The upper and lower sides in this specification are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. In fact, the adapter should be placed so that what is referred to as the upper wall 301 in this specification is on the lower side. It is anticipated that it may be inverted.) A specific embodiment is a bi-directional LC connector suitable for fitting into a notch for an SC connector. Since the lateral wall strength is increased, the adapter of the present invention is particularly suitable for a notch bidirectional adapter for an SC connector, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the present invention can be implemented with unidirectional adapters, bidirectional adapters, and quadruple small form factor adapters.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the adapter 100 includes ears 304 on each side to facilitate connection to the end face of the panel. These ears 304 define fastener holes 305 for receiving fasteners that secure the adapter 100 to the panel faceplate. Such ears 304 are well known in the art.

  In another preferred embodiment, the adapter 100 includes a flange (not shown) that extends around the periphery of the housing 101 perpendicular to the optical axis of the plug. Such an embodiment is suitable for the purpose of reducing EMI. In particular, the flange acts to cover the gap between the notch of the panel faceplate and the wall of the adapter. In a preferred embodiment, the flange is used in combination with a clip at the end 101b of the housing 101. In particular, this clip has a plurality of elastic members. The elastic member deforms inward when the adapter 100 is inserted into the panel cutout, and repels outward once the free end of the elastic member exceeds the edge of the panel cutout. As a result, the panel is sandwiched between the elastic members of the flange and the clip, and the adapter is held in the panel. Such clip mechanisms are well known in the art.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an adapter according to the present invention. It is a perspective view of the end cap used for the adapter of FIG. It is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

101 Metal housing 102 1st port 103 2nd port 104 Joint part 104a 1st end 104b 2nd end 105 Passage 106 Projection part 107 Alignment sleeve 108 End cap 109 Annular recessed part 201 Wall part 202 Projection part

Claims (3)

An adapter for fitting two plugs, comprising a metal housing (101) defining a first port (102) axially aligned with a second port (103), said ports (102, 103). ) Is configured to receive each optical connector plug having a cylindrical ferrule, and a joint (104) provided between the ports (102, 103) is a first end adjacent to the first port. (104a) and a second end (104b) adjacent to the second port (103), and the joint (104) is an axial cylindrical passage (105) between the ports (102, 103). And the first end (104a) of the joint (104) has an inwardly extending ridge (106) to limit the diameter of the passage (105) at the first end (104a). The above An alignment sleeve (107) is disposed in the channel (105), and the alignment sleeve receives the ferrule of each of the optical connector plugs and optically couples the fibers contained in the ferrule. In an adapter having an inner diameter suitable for axial alignment,
The joint (104) is integrally formed with the metal housing (101),
An end cap (108) is fixed to the second end (104b) of the joint,
The end cap has a ridge (202) that extends inwardly and restricts the diameter of the passage (105) at the second end (104b), thereby connecting the alignment sleeve (107) to the passage (105). An adapter characterized by being fixed inside. The joint (104) is cylindrical and defines an outer surface and an inner surface;
The passage (105) is defined by the inner surface;
The adapter of claim 1, wherein the inner surface and the second end (104b) define an annular recess (109) to receive a wall (201) of the end cap (108).   The adapter according to claim 2, wherein a part of the second end (104b) of the joint (104) protrudes inward to hold the end cap (108).

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